When a detailing job takes longer than expected
You estimated three hours for an interior detail. Removing pet hair from the seats adds 30 minutes. At the same price, you earn less for each hour you work.
Include the extra time in your job costs
If you pay yourself $35 an hour, those 30 extra minutes add $17.50 to your labor cost.
The customer’s price stays as agreed unless they approve extra work and a price change.
Try Costbook with your own jobs
$17.50 in additional labor cost
Enter the extra minutes worked and your hourly pay.
This is the cost of your extra time at the hourly pay you entered. It does not change the customer’s bill.Allow for extra cleaning before you quote
- Check the vehicle’s condition. Ask for interior photos and inspect the vehicle before agreeing to the work and price.
- Allow time for difficult cleaning. Include pet hair removal, stained upholstery or heavy dirt in your estimate. List any extra services separately.
- Confirm changes with the customer. If you find work outside the estimate, explain the additional service and price. Get approval before starting it.
- Record the time worked. Use the hours from completed details to estimate similar jobs more accurately.
Use Costbook to compare estimated and actual time
Plan the job: during your trial, enter estimated hours, hourly pay and other costs to work out a price.
Work out my next quote →Job workspace: record estimated and actual hours for each detail. Sign in to start a 14-day free trial.
Example: an interior detail priced at $190
You charge $190. Supplies, travel and shared business costs total $40. The card fee is $5.70. At $35 an hour:
| Time worked | Pay for your time | Profit after costs and your pay |
|---|---|---|
| 3 hours | $105.00 | $39.30 |
| 3½ hours | $122.50 | $21.80 |
The extra half-hour reduces profit from $39.30 to $21.80 after allowing for your pay and the costs listed above. It does not create a separate cash expense or change the customer’s bill. Income tax and costs not listed here are excluded.
By Detailing Costbook · October 26, 2026 · Illustrative USD amounts. Use your own costs.